IN Sewickley Summer 2019 | Page 41

A Maureen Frew, Digital Media Specialist instructed students on their activity during a weekly JAM meeting. vonworth Primary Center JAM is taking kindness to new heights. Overseen by Maureen Frew, Digital Media Specialist at Avonworth Primary Center, and Meghan Kelly, second grade teacher, JAM helps students give back to the less fortunate through creative means. In April 2016, first grade girls Julia ( J) and Amelia (A) approached Maureen (M) to ask if the three of them could start a group that makes things, sells the items and donates the profits to charities—forming JAM, recounts Frew. In the beginning, the group made very simple items such as heart poppers (toilet paper tubes filled with tiny hearts with a balloon on the end). “When the balloon is pulled the hearts pop out,” explains Frew. “We made travel games inside Altoid tins and 3D printed keychains. We always set a limit of 100 and we always sold out.” The girls make suggestions as to where to donate the money—they research organizations and present the information to the group. Then a vote is taken to determine the beneficiaries. JAM has donated to Children’s Hospital, Meals on Wheels, Ohio Township Fire Department, Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh, Make- a-Wish, the wig department at AGH, Caring Place, Animal Friends, Susan G. Komen, Children’s Tumor Association, Ronald McDonald House and many more. “In April 2018, a kindergartener came to a meeting and suggested we make a Tin Bin with kids characters inside so kids would always have a friend,” says Frew. “One thing led to another and the #bethekindkid t-shirt was born.” The group thought they would sell 100, but in a few short days, they sold more than 500 and had to outsource the product because they couldn’t keep up with the demand. To date, JAM has sold more than 18,000 shirts, with profits going to various nonprofit organizations. “Our logo has also become a registered trademark,” says Frew. “Not bad for a group of kids ages 5 to 12!” Anyone is welcome in JAM. The group was an all-girl group until March, when seven boys joined. JAM now has 64 members in grades K through 6. “Our community has accepted #bethekindkid with open arms,” says Frew. “Our staff and students wear the shirts every Wednesday for #wearitwednesday. However, we stress to the students that if they wear the shirt, they must be the shirt. Our cafeteria staff, school resource JAM girls creating spring place mats for Meals on Wheels at a weekly JAM meeting. officers and bus drivers even wear the shirts. The Ohio Township police department also has the #bethekindkid logo on each of their police cars. Our local orthodontist, Dr. Richard Dahar, has purchased shirts for many dentists and orthodontists in the area. Several community businesses have purchased class sets of shirts for different schools.” In partnership with the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, JAM was able to start four other JAMs. There is one at Bellevue Elementary, Avalon Elementary, Elizabeth Forward Greenock Elementary and New Castle Primary Center. The group hopes to start five new JAMs per year. For more information about Avonworth Primary Center JAM, visit bethekindkid.net. n “Our community has accepted #bethekindkid with open arms...” SEWICKLEY ❘ SUMMER 2019 39